Hundreds

Bedfordshire Hundreds

Hundreds were a creation of Anglo-Saxon government, the name referring to the fact that they notionally covered 100 hides of ground. Hundreds had both a legal and fiscal (tax gathering) significance. Following the Norman Conquest of 1066 their importance began to decrease and, though never officially abolished, they now have no significance of any kind. The composition of hundreds is included here because in many early returns, such as the Taxation of 1297 and Hearth Tax of 1671 parishes are grouped together by hundred. This list only includes parishes in existence by 1600. Bedford was not part of a Hundred.